Singing Guide: Deborah Gibson
Vocal technique, exercises, tips and relevant resources
Deborah Gibson, a.k.a Deborah Ann Gibson, is an American singer-songwriter known for her pop hits in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She has sold over 16 million records worldwide, making her one of the highest-selling female singers during that time. Gibson is widely regarded for her vocal agility, which often included fast runs, trills, and belting. What distinguishes her technique from others is her ability to create unique transitions between different pitches in a song, which she does with surprising speed and fluidity.
- Step 1: Analyzing your voice: Start by analyzing your voice to determine your range, voice type, and vocal registers. Singing Carrots' Vocal range test is an excellent tool to identify your voice type and compare it with famous singers. Understanding your voice type will help you select the best songs that showcase your vocal range.
- Step 2: Study Deborah's style: To sing like Deborah Gibson, you must understand her style and how it influenced her music. Her main influence is the Motown sound, which she tries to emulate with her fast runs, belting, and quick pitch changes. Songs like "Only in My Dreams" and "Shake Your Love" exemplify her love for the Motown Sound, with their upbeat tempo and fast vocal acrobatics.
- Step 3: Emulate her techniques: After studying her style, you can try to incorporate her techniques into your singing. Singing Carrots' Pitch Training tool offers interactive vocal warm-ups, pitch visualization, and exercises for range and agility, which can be of great help. Ask your vocal coach or use Singing Carrots' Vocal Pitch Monitor to see your sung notes on a virtual piano. It will help you to see your pitch transitions and even visualizes your vibrato effect.
- Step 4: Practice Breath Control: Breath control is critical when singing Deborah's fast-paced songs. You must fully engage your diaphragm to support your vocals and provide a steady stream of airflow. Singing Carrots' tutorial on breath support is a useful resource to help train your breathing.
- Step 5: Warm-up exercises: Deborah always warms up before performing; she uses a variety of warm-up exercises to prepare her voice for her performances. Singing Carrots' 3 Minute Warm-Up video is an excellent resource to get started.
- Step 6: Belting and Twang: These techniques are critical when singing like Deborah. Singing Carrots' Twang exercise and Belting technique exercise provide practical ideas to improve your vocal techniques.
- Step 7: Stage Presence: Finally, stage presence is an essential aspect of performing, and Deborah is known for her high energy performances. You can watch her videos as she performs and get inspired. Singing Carrots' tutorial on tips for performing on stage will be useful to build your confidence.
By following these steps and utilizing resources from Singing Carrots, you'll be well on your way to singing like Deborah Gibson. Remember to practice consistently, take care of your vocal health and seek guidance from a reputable vocal coach.